Leicester Square redevelopment 'will threaten home of cinema'

Heritage: a film association wants the square’s cinemas to be protected

Cinema fans have hit out at the "highly destructive" development of Leicester Square which they claim threatens its future as the home of British film.

The Cinema Theatre Association, whose patrons include MPs Glenda Jackson and Gerald Kaufman, wants better protection for its famous venues such as the flagship Odeon cinema.

The group says the 11-storey development which replaced the Swiss Centre and its glockenspiel and dancing figurines is "dull and ordinary".

It warns that plans for the site of the Odeon will relegate cinema to the basement while a hotel, flats and restaurants dominate the upper storeys.

The decision to have two smaller cinemas in the lower levels of the development, which is on hold for economic reasons, is "a token gesture to the location", the association claims today.

The group's spokeswoman, Eva Branscombe, said: "Leicester Square is all about cinema heritage. There are still lots of cinemas but they're all under pressure for commercial redevelopment." None of the famous cinemas is listed, including the Vue, which Ms Branscombe says has a "fantastic world-class art-deco frontage".

However, a spokeswoman for the planning authority, Westminster council, said the Swiss Centre replacement building was not yet complete and the glockenspiel was scheduled to return. She added: "The works are essential to the success of the West End and its role as an economic powerhouse."

She said the council's Unitary Development Plan protects the use of cinemas and planning permission will not be given for a change of use.

Phil Clapp, chief executive of the Cinema Exhibitors' Association, which represents cinema operators, said: "The redevelopment of Leicester Square is intended to re-establish it as the home of cinema in the UK."

In a statement on behalf of Westminster City Council, Robert Davis, its deputy leader and cabinet member for the built environment, said: "We refute any suggestion that we do not see Leicester Square as important and vital to the entertainment industry.

"We currently have plans to invest £18m in a revamp of the square so we are completely committed to making sure that this important area of London remains the home of entertainment for generations to come."